Honoring Joan Steinbrenner

Wife, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, children’s advocate, and vice chairperson of the New York Yankees, one could say that Joan Steinbrenner, matriarch of one of the nation’s most well-known families, had a full and varied life.

Born in Mount Vernon, Ohio where she attended Upper Arlington High School and Ohio State University, Joan married the man “who stole her heart” in 1956. In 1974 she moved to Tampa by way of Ocala with her husband George, the principal owner of the New York Yankees, among other things, and their four children.

Joan’s commitment to volunteering started in Cleveland and grew over the years after moving to Tampa. Her passion fueled charitable activities such as being State Chairperson of the Florida Special Olympics, serving on the boards of the Children’s Home, the National Society to Prevent Blindness, and the St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation Development Council.

Through the encouragement and generosity of the Steinbrenner family, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital opened the Steinbrenner Emergency and Trauma Center for Children. Caring for over 50,000 children a year, the Center has grown to be the largest and busiest provider of emergency and trauma care for children in the Tampa Bay area and top three in the state.

Joan Steinbrenner died peacefully on December 14th, 2018 at her Tampa home surrounded by family. Joan’s legacy of caring was defined by personal commitment, gentle strength and quiet leadership. It is one that will live on through how she raised her children and how they raised theirs, and through the accomplishments and joy of the countless lives she has touched over these many years.

For those wishing to commemorate her passing, gifts can be made to the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation here.